Oregon is a sanctuary state and welcomes people from many other countries. Now thatOregon lawmakers are considering supporting SB 611, known as the Food for All Oregonians program, we want to see that assistance goes to all those that need it, (“Oregon advocates push lawmakers to provide food benefits to immigrants excluded by feds,” Jan. 27).
Immigrant and refugee communities, people of color, and many othersexperience food insecurity at two to three times the rate of white Oregonians. Being awhite person myself, I often struggle to buy enough healthy foods, so I worryabout those who have far less to survive on.
Those who have immigrated here have enough problems with language barriers, findinghousing assistance and other struggles. Going to school or work with an empty stomach should not be a consequence of one’s immigration status. The solution would be to ensure everyone has the human right to food.
As a constituent of Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama and Rep. Andrea Valderrama, I’ve noticed both of them are committed to creating a strong Oregon bysupporting immigrants. I urge them both, and other lawmakers, to champion Food forAll Oregonians to help eliminate hunger in our state.
Layla Assem, Portland
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